Bio

Born in Pittsburgh--where the only spices are salt, pepper and Heinz ketchup--I attended Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA.  It was far enough away for me to feel independent, but close enough I could get home in an hour by car.  As I had a bit of a lead foot, I could make it in forty-five minutes.

I graduated with majors in Writing and Communications and minors in English and Public Relations.  It was nice to have my gift of gab and story telling actually earn me a degree.  It was like magic.

Although my college days allowed me to test my wings, I really loved my high school years best. Everything felt so fresh, so alive. First loves, first kisses, best friends and the making of life-long memories. Is it any wonder I began to write books about teens? Those years were the most powerful, most magical and the truest. I remember the feelings like they were yesterday.  Every day was ripe with possibilities. We should live our lives each day as if something wonderful is just around the corner.

I live outside Washington D.C with my husband and five kids, a demanding cat, and an overgrown, neglected garden.  When I'm not writing young adult books, I'm either volunteering at the school, chauffeuring kids to soccer practice or eavesdropping on my daughter's conversations with her friends.  All in the name of research, of course.  :-)